I can’t see that this debate will do much for either side, in terms of their chances for nomination.
If people don’t know who they want to be the nominee by now, after weeks and months of newscoverage, then I can’t help but think it’s either because A) they live in a dark, lonely cave and are too busy scavenging for food and semi-potable water to worry about party nominees or B) they are at the far left end of a particular bell curve that shall be nameless.
Okay, I’m joking in a mean-spirited fashion. But seriously. How can any Dem really be undecided at this point? Obama could suddenly start lapsing into Ebonics and I doubt it would cause his supporters to abandon him. Hillary could have a Tara Reid moment at the podium, and I’m sure her supporters will still support her. Unless something really collosal happens, I can’t see that this debate will influence much in the short-term.
You know I really have to agree with this. I can’t see this debate or the next one really having any bearing on the outcome of the next round of primaries. Obama has out played Clinton on just about every front and I don’t see that lessening at all.
One thing to watch for is how close they will be sitting to one another. The last CNN debate had them hip to hip. This one I’ll bet they are further apart, to give the audience the feel that they are truly different.
I’d rather the hip to hip so Clinton can get another hug from Obama.
If Obama walked across the floor and squeezed her breast while saying, “Honk, honk,” that would surely cost him the election. Likewise, if Clinton does her impression of Michael Richard’s classic “There’s a nigger” routine, I think she’d be finished. If both of these things happen, I still wouldn’t vote for McCain.
They’re showing that Obama is gaining handily on Clinton’s target demographic, and that support is growing for his ground campaign. As you know I campaigned for him in CT and now in RI and they are so over the top organized it is remarkable. BTW - hundreds of volunteer leaders -not run of the mill volunteers - but actual coordinators are flocking to OH and TX, RI and VT to run even more ground troops. A Colleague of mine at Brown University in Providence wrote me an email about the Obama presence on campus and how his daughter [post-grad at Brown] is one of the chief organizers. He mentions it is unlike anything he has every seen and he is a associate prof there, and has been for 23 years. This same story is being told over and over across the country - Obama’s campaigning is getting widespread attention in classrooms. That’s telling in it’s own right.
To the extent that both my nephew – a 20 y.o sophomore at a small private college in Boca – and my son – a soon to be 18 y.o. HS senior in a West Palm magnet school – are both actively involved in the campaign, I’d say that yes, it is not just just impressive but simply extraordinary the way his campaign has really turned into a veritable nation-wide movement. And not just amongst the Gen Whys I might add…though they are admittedly the most visually telling sign.
Yeah- she successfully did that once or twice in the early going, maybe, but at this point I can’t see that working. He’s adjusted his tactics during the race and she hasn’t, which is part of her big problem. At this point her campaign apparently doesn’t know if she should attack or not, because attacks aren’t working and neither is anything else.
If she tries anything to rattle him, he’ll know it’s the last act of a desperate woman, which makes it that much easier to handle.
[Obligatory Blazing Saddles reference: “I don’t care if it’s the first act of Henry V!”]
I am an Obama supporter and I will be watching tonight to see if he tries to float past this debate or if he does as DSeid suggests (which I wholeheartedly agree with). This is his big chance to really put to rest the whole “style and no substance” meme. He should take it. I’ll be sorely disappointed if he doesn’t.
As will I. However, the news stations and reporters asking the questions are sure to ask questions that are difficult to answer, ones that the candidate must dig deep to convey. This I believe is where Obama will shine.
I think Obama is a bit like Tiger Woods, and I don’t mean a reference to race. Even when Tiger is ahead by a comfortable margin, he still tries to birdie 18 on Sunday. And he often does, too!
Not much of an attack: “Blah Blah ReadyOnDay1. Blah Blah SolutionsNotSpeeches.”
I think these two arguments have proven themselves resolutely unpersuasive and unconvincing. I do hope he takes a nice firm swipe at how effective policies and inspiring rhetoric are not mutually exclusive (chorus everybody: DUH!). It’s one thing to call his candidacy hollow and empty on the stump–let’s see if she’s got the balls to do so right in front of him.
That’s why it’s still a horse race, and why they actually play the football game (e.g., Appalachian State vs. Michigan). Even people that are “decided” can change their voting intention - and I’d bet many do, multiple times, in the run-up to the election.
